H A R D |< O R PRELUDE Edition K i m a g u r e O r a n g e R o a d P r e m i e r F a n f i c t i o n by Robert Kwong completed September 21, 1996 ver 1.0 Based on characters from the Kimagure Orange Road Series created by the venerable Matsumoto Izumi. As you can see, this is fanfiction harkening back to the old Kimagure Orange Orange Road Series. In the Prelude edition, it outlines the events following the breakup of Hikaru and Kyouske which sets the stage for Shin Kor and HARD Kor series. These stories were written in the attempt to clarify certain details assumed and to provide clues for future Hard Kor episodes. HardKor Web Site (With Disclaimer and back-stories: Book A and Book B chapters) http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/HardKor.html My SuperPage for the General Kimagure Orange Road enthusiast http://www-ucsee.eecs.berkeley.edu/~rk/Kor.html My contact email address for comments or further correspondence: rk@soda.berkeley.edu Feel free to email me your impressions and suggestions for the series. Beta readers always welcome. If you want new stories emailed to you, please e-mail me at the above address. Thanks for reading my stories and making it one the most popular KOR fanfic on the web! (7500 can't be wrong!)I hope you enjoy reading it as I did writing it. Thanks again. Robert Kwong Ark Productions -96- Legend: H=Hikaru Hiyami Y=Hino, Yuusaku Prelude: (Hachi) Semester Blues Matsumoto sensei: "Yame! Good practice today. Everyone can go now...except Hino-kun. Y: Me? But why? Matsumoto: You were mushin (no heart or mind) today. That's is why you stay. Y: Sensei, midterms are coming up. I need time to study. Matusumoto: No! If you not of sound body, then you won't be of sound mind. You will fail either way. Y: (mutters) I wonder why I don't quit this thing... Matsumoto: No one is forcing you to stay. You don't want to do extra exercixes, then go. Foolish for one to try to force river to flow against its will. Y: I'm sorry sensei. I spoke before thinking about what to say. Matsumoto: If you could only apply this: to strike without thinking and to think before speaking... I stayed after and did the extra exercises, but I could tell sensei was still not satisfied with my progress. Pitying me, he let me go. I could tell how disappointed he was in me. He would tell me that I possessed raw talent like the trunk of a tree, but it was nothing until it was honed down by discipline and honor into something useful. I knew I had to shape up and be shipped out. How was things going for me? Lousy, as usual. After that night where I nearly got myself severely hurt, Hikaru gave me the silent treatment. She didn't talk to me, her classmates, or even to that Kinsu punk. She just kept to herself, going to class, and avoiding contact with others. It just killed me inside to see her act this way towards me. I mean I made her mad before, but it would always be forgotten the next day, with her yelling at me again. But this time it was different. This time, I crossed the line --her line. She was very disappointed at the actions I took. I felt so bad inside to let Hikaru down. I knew she expected more of me. Well worrying about that certainly did not help my academics. I took a full regiment of classes: history, ESL, Calculus, and composition. I was doing pretty well in history and composition, so-so in ESL, but I was flunking calculus. And I needed to pass all my classes in order to graduate from high school. I had planned to be a ronin for about a couple of years while boosting up my level. Now even that seemed in jeopardy. This week was the first big week of midterms. and I had a lot of catching up to do. Muroke was like a godsend to me, tutoring me daily in calculus. However, I feared it would not be enough. Time was running out and the test would be upon me soon. The only way for me to have a chance would be to skip my judo classes for that week. But I was already in hot water with Sensei the week before. "If you quit, you will reveal yourself to be a cowards, and will never earn the respect of anyone. Only those with strong will, determination, and honor are the true warriors. It's your decision." I was caught in the classic hot plate and hard rock dilemma. Or was it a hard place and a hot rock? I could never use those American idioms correctly... If I quit, no one would know but me. But I would never have to courage to face Hikaru and admit to her that I was a coward. Then she'll be even more ashamed of me. If I do go, I was certain to flunk the test. That would mean that I would have to ace all the remaining tests just to have a chance to pass. Either way, my situation looked bleak. Hikaru, like her usual studious self was having no trouble. In addition to dance practice, she had social studies, ESL, and art. She was indeed the super woman I had envisioned her to be. I would often cut 5th period (calculus) to sneak a peak at her practicing with the rest of the hopefuls. The first semester was strictly dance appreciation and training. Everyone was allowed to take that. Those special few who are good enough and show promise get to take the advance dance course in the spring. The "final" of this advanced dance course was the participation in the locally sponosred p[ay. I knew Hikaru had her sights set on making that advanced class. To me, she was still rough in certain spots, but of course she was a beginner. What also surprised me was how remarkably well she was coping with her breakup with Kyosuke. She was much stronger than I have anticipated. Who was I to have doubted her will and fortitude... As for my rivalry with Ryoga, it seemed to have died down a bit after that dangerous night. He was still his typical sneering, cocky son-of-a-bitch delinquent thug who made everyone quake with fear with his presence. But he did not go out of his way to torment me; Kaori claims it was because she made him behave. Yes, Kaori was still all over me and I wondered deeply why. There was really nothing special about me except for the fact I'm a transfer student from Tokyo. Am I really that different from everyone else? Why was she so hung up on me? I certainly was not a gorgeous lady-killer (though I wish I was!). I had no "cool" talents like singing and such. I was not even popular at all in school. Still, she followed me around like a sheepdog and asked me so many questions. What part of Tokyo I lived, what my family did, and other odd personal questions. I wonder what for. Despite the oddity of her questions, in a way, she kept my mind off Hikaru - at least for a little while. Muroke: Stop daydreaming, sleepyhead! (beginning of calculus class) Y: What? Was my mind wandering off again? Muroke: Yep, as usual. Gotta focus, gotta focus if you want to get through this upcoming test. Y: I don't know about this,...I don't think I'm going to make it. Muroke: You can't think that way! You have to have some confidence in yourself. You got to do your best. Y: Right now, I don't really care. What's the use anyway? No one would care. Muroke: Boy, you need a dose of reality. You can't quit now. Meet me in study hall after school. Y: Can't. Have to go to karatedo training. Muroke: You can't think about beating people up at a time like this. Y: There's nothing I can do about it. I have to go. Muroke: That's so irrational! Have it your way then. But there must be another way...(pats fingers against chin pondering) (amid the busy hallway in between classes) Kaori: Hi Hikaru! H: Oh, hi. It's you. You're Kaori, is it not? Kaori: Yeah girl. Whatcha doing lately? H: Nothing much. Were you sent by Yuusaku? Kaori: You mean my love-child? (places both hands together to left cheek) (Love symbol) God no! I was wondering what you were up to, that's all. H: I doing fine, thank you. Now if you would excuse me, I, unlike some people, have to attend class. Good-day! Kaori: My Gawd,...what's an attitude. I wonder what he ever sees in her. Time to skip this joint and hop on to work. My dreams, my hopes, my ambition, I had none. I wasn't sure what to do with my life at all; I never thought that far ahead. Junior high school life was so easy. All you had to worry about was to go to school, get good grades, and have fun with your friends. Now nearing the end of my high school career, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life. What college I wanted to attend. What career path I would want to pursue. My papa always wanted a doctor in the family. Mama didn't really care what I'd be, as long as I got married to a well-to-do gentleman. I myself had no inclination towards anything myself. I did love to be around animals, so maybe being a veterinarian would be a possible choice. But I wasn't that strong in the biological sciences. I also loved to draw. But mama always frowned upon it, saying no painter ever made a decent living. If worst comes to worst, I could be a teacher or a librarian, or even a secretary. Those were the usual jobs alotted to us in the society. I would be a no-nothing, while Madoka and Sempai would have dazzling, glamourous jobs. At least I have the dance sessions to latch on to. I wasn't particuliarly a good dancer at all, but I figured I might as well give it a try. I remembered earlier before being hesitant attending the talnet search by Mitsuru Hayakawa. But all my friends, Madoka, Manami, Kurumi, and Akane all talked me into it. They said you'll never know unless you try it. What did I have to lose anyway except for my pride, which I could swallow in the long run. I felt very good about the experience, so I decided to give it a try here. I'm glad I did. Worry about it has gotten my mind off the more troubling parts of my life: my uncertain future, Darling and friends, and Hino. I had good reason to be worried, because the first test would be made near the end of October. [At the gym will everyone sitting down all around on the mats...] Sensei: Keoskite! (Attention!) (All the students sit up in seiza position) All: Konnichi wa, sensei. Onigashimasu. Sensei: Stay where you are! Certain changes will be made today. We have a late newcomer to our humble family. I want you to treat him as you would treat me. Now please welcome Koji-san. (out walks Muroke in white karate garb) Y: Muroke!? Is that you? Muroke: (gives an ok sign with his right hand) Ryoga: This is stupid sensei! Are you really going to allow this midget to enter our dojo and make a mockery of us? Punk #1: Get shorty out of here! Punk #2: This is a place for men, not boys! Sensei: Silence! Anyone who wishes to learn the ways of our craft is welcome to do so. Anyone who objects to this is welcome to leave right now. (rest of people start to complain, but Ryoga raises his hand to silence them) Ryoga: He can stay, as long as he can survive the exercises. (evil glint) (all): yeah, yeah (snicker, snicker) Sensei: As a result for our newcomer, there will be new parings. Ryo-kun. Since you are the best in the dojo, you shall supervise that side of the squad, while I supervise the rest. Koji-kun! You will be paired up with Hino-kun today. Ryoga: (starts to protest) But... Sensei: That will be the arrangement from now on until I change it. Understand? Ryoga: Yes sensei. (bows) Sensei: Good. Now carry on. Y: (whisper voice) What are you doing here in a place like this? This is not for you. You should be in the computer center tapping away. Muroke: I'm here to save your butt. I saw this was the only way you can get the tutor help you need. And besides, I get a chance to learn how to defend myself. Better than staring for hours into the crt, which I don't mind of course. So what do I do? Y: Well, just do what I do, like this. (thrusts left hand, then right) Muroke: like this? (mimics action) Y: Yes, but put more of your body into it. So how are you going to help me while we're practicing, huh? Muroke: Easy. I'll synchronize the stuff you need to know with your motions. Show me a more complicated sequence. Y: Ok. Pay attention. (*performs action*) Muroke: Then here's how I teach you. Take derivatives for instance. (*Motion 1*) Derivative of (*Motion 2*) a simple power (*Motion 3*) of x is (*Motion 4*) the index multiplied by (*Motion 5*) the coefficent. Now you try it. Y: (repeats lines while performing action) Hey, this might work. Muroke: I figured as much. By moving, you keep blood flowing into the brain, which allows you to concentrate better and learn much quicker. Y: OK. Tell me more. [After practice, in the locker room with American rock music blaring in the background. Song: Kill 'em all!...] Muuroke: Not a very receptive atmosphere, is it? Y: You'd better be careful...these guys like to play pranks on newcomers... And watch where you step on! Muroke: Aren't you afraid what they might do to you? Y: Yep. That's why I always keep on my guard. And shower on the far end, away from the group. Muroke: Aren't you afraid they would gang up on you? Y: They won't fight in the locker-room. It's against the playground code. And they don't want people saying things about their sexuality by attacking people when they're naked, if you know what I mean. It's relatively safe, so to speak. Just have to watch out for the childish pranks. (enter shower stalls. Muroke reaches for nearby soap) Y:Wait! Don't touch that! (examines it) Just as I thought. Muroke: What? Y: Look. Itching powder. Hard to see unless you view it at an angle. Here. (breaks his new bar of soap in half) You can use this half. That's why I always bring my own supplies. Muroke: Thanks man. "Hey freaks! Look behind you!" (As both Yuusaku and Muroke turn, they're rudely blinded by flash bulbs. By the time they recover their sight, the pranksters have already ran out.) (drying off, sitting on a plank, next to their lockers) Y: Damn it! (punches hand) I can't believe I was tricked! Muroke: They were bound to get to us sooner or later. Look out! There's a bunch of toughs coming our way, led by Ryoga! (Ryoga and his gang surround the two figures) Y: You want something'? Ryoga: Yeah. I something from your friend. Muroke: Me? What could you possibly want from me? Ryoga: (flashes evil smile) As newly appointed co-supervisor of this dojo, I declare that the Muroke boy be our personal errand boy. Y: Go and jerk off. Leave us alone. (Ryoga grabs Yuusaku by the cuff of his T-shirt, while his denizens grab Muroke) Muroke: I thought you said they wouldn't attack us in the lockerroom. Y: (pushes Ryoga off) Go pick on someone else. But don't pick on the kid. Ryoga: You don't seem to understand who's in charge here? I'm the head guy here, and I'm prepared to make your life here a miserable hell. I counting on the fact that you don't have to guts to take what can I dish out, and quit, whining away like a cowardly dog. Y: Go ahead and do your worse. (prepares for confrontation) Muroke: Wait a minute. (laughs nervously) No need to get up in arms over this. I'm the new guy here, so it's only fair I do my fair share to contribute to this group. Ryoga: (evil snicker)_ I'm glad you're friend has come to his senses. You may begin by gathering all our dirty socks and underware around the gym. (points to scattered, smelly pieces of clothing) Y: You dirty rat! Muroke: (to Yuusaku) It's ok. It's an initiation thing, right? I can do this. Don't worry about it. Ok. (Jumps up and (Yuusaku is steaming mad!) ryoga: I'll see you later, loser! (He and his gang leaves and laughs merrily) Y: Let me help you out. [After the "cleaning", they're walking out onto the school grounds] Y: Thanks for preventing me from losing my cool back there. And thanks for the extra calculus tutoring. For a little guy, you sure know a lot (pats Muroke on the back) Muroke: Ouch! Watch it! My arms and legs feel so sore. Y: Oh, this is your first time working out, isn't it? You need to keep at it everyday. Eventally the soreness will disappear. Then you feel stronger and more energetic. Muroke: Hey, I'm not doing this again! Once is enough for me. Y: You're not thinking of making this a one time thing, are you? Muroke: I only did it to help you out. I'm sure the sensei will understand once I expalin the whole thing to him. Y:Don't. He's not that understanding of a person. He's the type of person who expects those who enter his class to finish it through. Muroke: Oh come on! He's not that bad! Why he let me in, didn't he? Y: Yeah, with the understanding that you complete the program. Muroke: So? What can he do? Y: I wouldn't want to arouse the wrath of our tempermental sensei. He might just go berserk. Looks like you're stuck. Muroke: Ahh man! This is bad. I use to think jocks were just big and dumb. Now I know the pain they feel to keep in good shape. And I would have to endure this torture for the rest of the semester! What have I gotten myself into? I miss my comfy chair in the computer lab! Y; Now that's the Muroke I know! Muroke: Isn't that Hiyami-san coming out of the library? Y: It sure is. Muroke: why don't you approach her? Y: She's not talking to me. Muroke: Still? You can't let it go on like this. Someone's got to make the first move. Run over there and talk to her. Y: You're kidding me? I'm afraid she might yell at me again. Muroke: At least she would have acknowledged your presence. Y: That's true. OK. Here I go. (yells out) H-I-K-A-R-U! Wait up! I want to talk to you. Hikaru sees him and runs off into the distance. Y: Hey wait! Where are you going? Muroke: (catches up) Guess she didn't want to talk to you after all. She must really have it in for you. Y: I know. And she dropped this. (picks up book titled: English as a Second Language for Beginners) (some papers fall from the book) Muroke: (picks it up) These fell out. (shakes head) It seems she's not doing too way in that class. Y: Give me that! What are you talking about? (Looks at graded papers.) Hey, you're right! Even I'm doing better than her, but not by much. I can't believe it. Usually, HIkaru outclasses me in every subject. I dont' understand it. I thought she was aceing all her classes... Muroke: Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Some people have a knack for learning new languages; some people don't. She doesn't seem to be good at it. Y; Hey, you can't say that about my Hikaru! Muroke: No offense, but that's the fact of the matter. She looks like she could use some tutoring help. Y: Yeah, but who? Muroke: I can do it, I know English like the back of my hand. Y: How do you know? Muroke: You have to know if you're playing all those online MUD games out there. Most of the good computer stuff out there is in English, so you're compelled to learn. Y: Boy, you must be some whiz kid. How old are you anyway? Muroke: I'm almost 14. Y: That young? You must have skipped a couple of grades. Muroke: I did. Blame my parents for that. Y: I won't hold it against you. And that tutoring thing sounds like a good idea. I try to convince her mother to do it. Have to figure out a way to slip it into the conversation. In the meantime, I'm going to return this book to her. So I'll see you tomorrow. Muroke: Ja Ne. [Rides on his motorcycle to Hiyami house] (*Ding Dong*) Mama: Yuu-kun. It's you! I'm so glad to see you. It's been a long time since you were last here. Do you want to come in? I have plenty of cookies and candy. Y: No thank you, maam. I just wanted to return this book she dropped along the way. Is she home yet? Mama: No, not yet. I think she might still be at the post office. Y: Post office? Mama: Yes; she goes there everyday. Y: I see,...thanks for your kind and generous offer, but I have to be going. Midterms are coming up and I have to study hard. Good day. Mama: Goodbye! I'll tell Hikaru you came by. Y: [At the bar downtown where Kaori works...] Ryoga seated at a table in the left end of the bar with a couple of his karate gang, laughing and joking around. (*Door slams open*!) In walks two men carrying a body. Ryoga: What the fuck happened!? Aki, Bento. Go over and help Chiko and Daisuke with 'Flamingo' kid. (The entire group brings the fallen comrade to the table.) Ryoga: Kaori! Get me the strongest brandy. Quick! Kaori: I'm coming, I'm coming. Here it is. (flips bottle across the bar) (Ryoga catches it in one motion and slips open the open. He pries the the mouth open as he empties some of the brandy into him. He slowly comes to...) F: Where am I? What am I doing here? Ryoga: This is Ryoga. I sent you on a scout mission to the other side. What happened? F: I,...was in the bushes, spying at the competition. Out in the field, near the bleachers they were. I...(starts to drift ff) Ryoga: (slaps cheek) Come to man! (pours some more brandy into his mouth) And..? F: (stirs again) They,....they weren't practicing,...they were in a circle, talking,..last I remember was a sharp mettalic pain across my head.*Argh...) (falls into comtose state) Ryoga: Those fuckers will pay for assaulting my men. Bento. Take 'im back to homebase. The rest of you come with me. I have a score to settle. Men( in unison) Yeah! Let's go get 'em! They all ride off in file with Ryoga leading the way on his Harly! Ryoga rides with his fist in the air, to the tune: Born to be Wild! [At the post office, Yuusaku peers through the window near closing time. Hikaru takes a small, brown package out of her backpack and and hands it to the clerk. She pays him and exits out] Y: (goes up to clerk) Hi sir. I know it's almost closing time, but can you check for me whether the new flower stamps have come in yet. Clerk: I'm not sure if has been issued yet. Let me check. (turns around) Y: (leans over counter to peer at address on the package: Japan, Tokyo, Orange Road Green Castle Apartments To: Kasuga Kyosuke ) [End of Prelude Chapter 8]